The military has acted hastily
Article Link
By Michel W. Drapeau, Citizen Special June 1, 2010
Let me open by noting that from my perspective, Canada is in the happy situation of being blessed with a generation of outstanding senior military commanders whose leadership, discipline and operational readiness is impressive, inspiring and second to none in terms of professionalism.
I also want to note that, fundamentally, I agree with the necessity of a policy of non-fraternization (romantic and sexual liaisons) between Canadian Forces members, particularly in a theatre of war, to maintain morale, esprit de corps, teamwork, and discipline, and to protect and ensure fair and uniform treatment of subordinates.
I have some reservations, however, about the extent of this policy which includes prohibiting a CF member, while in uniform and in public, to kiss, hug or even hold hands with another CF member, even if united in a family relationship, including marriage or a common-law partnership or civil union with that person. This policy is implemented on a "no-tolerance" basis, which means that there are no shades of grey possible.
And I have some difficulties with the administrative decision-making process followed by the higher CF echelons which directed the precipitous and ignominious relief of one of its rising stars from the position of commander, Joint-Task Force Afghanistan.
First, to make public that the reason for Brig.-Gen. Daniel Ménard's sudden relief from command was related to allegations of inappropriate conduct related to the Canadian Forces Personal Relationships and Fraternization Directive has caused incalculable and irreversible damage to his professional, social and familial reputation, even before an investigation into the circumstances. In acting this way, CF decision-makers knew, or ought to have known, that this would spell the abrupt end of Brig.-Gen. Ménard's otherwise stellar career in the profession of arms. There can be no question about that.
Second, in issuing an immediate press release, in my opinion, the CF brass have not only shown a lack of finesse but, in the process, have violated the privacy of an officer who, up until that time, served his country and the armed forces in a most honourable and distinguished manner, as evidenced by his quick rise through the military ranks.
Surely, his previous accumulated good service ought to have been taken into account in sparing him, and his family, the embarrassment of broadcasting to the world, the news of his alleged violation of the non-fraternization policy.
More on link